Friday, June 3, 2011

Shy Jam

I'm the cooker this week & I must say that I was uninspired by my own prompt - swimming. You may check it out here. However, I managed to write something about which I have a lot of experience. Sometimes being a grown-up means you have to do things that you'd really rather not do. Although there are a lot of people who would be astounded that I used to be shy. I guess sometimes we do grow up!

The Bug, 2004
Shy

In her mind she is a river otter
All grace and fur and deep brown eyes
She dips her toe into that chattering stream
Pulls it back with a diffident sigh
It’s cold and menacing and three miles high

Over her head and out of her league
clichés crowd the room in groups of three
Retracing her steps to the flower filled wall
She lowers her eyes and watches her feet
They’re cold and trembling and three miles deep

Two cleansing breaths lift her feet from the mire
Watching the current she gauges her stride
And wades right in with a resolute smile
She lets the otter be her ebullient guide
And cuts a swath through the room three miles wide

Go here to check out other poems about swimming.
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20 comments:

  1. Dr. Jeanne IrisJune 3, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    I love every line of this one, Dana! Have ventured in those same waters often myself. Thank you for illustrating this feeling so vividly.

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  2. AmyJune 3, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    What a great job you did!! I love the picture your face says it all.

    I want to be an otter too!!

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  3. CatalystJune 3, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I really, really like this poem!

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  4. RudeeJune 3, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Utterly charmed.

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  5. Tess KincaidJune 3, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    You make a very cute otter. Very.

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  6. NCmountainwomanJune 3, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Good one. I loved it!

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  7. HelenJune 3, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Dana, your poem is a thing of beauty.

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  8. SouthLakesMomJune 3, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    This appeals on so many levels! I love otters!

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  9. Ann T.June 4, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Dear The Bug,
    Oh yes! I love this poem. That deep breath before leaving the wallflower wall!

    Beautiful.

    Ann T.

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  10. jabblogJune 4, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    How we are in our hopeful minds and how we appear in truth are so difficult to reconcile;-)

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  11. Emerging WriterJune 4, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    The rhythm is lovely, almost like a relaxing swim. Very nice

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  12. Sioux RoslawskiJune 5, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    I love the otter connection. Otters are among my favorites, when it comes to animals. They seem to have such fun in life.

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  13. Enchanted OakJune 5, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Look at you, rhyming away like a pro! A wonderful poem and statement about overcoming shyness to accomplish something we fear doing. Thumbs up!

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  14. HelenJune 5, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I could stand for hours watching the otters in the St. Louis Zoo ... the display is immense and the little critters fascinating. Nice Jammy poem!

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  15. Brian MillerJune 6, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    very nice bug, really well constructed and i love the message as well, thanks for being an inspiration and for driving this week...finally got my jam up this AM

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  16. Peter GouldingJune 6, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    I love the symmetry and rhythm of this. Delightful construction. One of your best.

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  17. Bagman and ButlerJune 6, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Yes, the symmetry of this is great, with the last line hitting just the right note. And such a great take on swimming. I have usually drowned in social settings.

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  18. AnonymousJune 6, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Love, love, love it!! Love otters ~ love water ~ love anything in threes.

    I played this week for the first time. Hope you'll stop by: Free Fall.

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  19. NanUJune 7, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Otters are the best. Love your swath three miles wide!
    Me too I was shy, still am, and nobody would ever guess.

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  20. Brigid O'ConnorJune 23, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    A lovely piece. I really loved the photo, exquisite.

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Thanks for stopping by - I'd love to hear what you have to say!

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